Nate Chinen
@natechinen.bsky.social
Writing and talking about music. Forever listening.
WRTI, NPR, formerly NYT. Author of a Substack newsletter, The Gig, and a book called 'Playing Changes: Jazz For the New Century.'
WRTI, NPR, formerly NYT. Author of a Substack newsletter, The Gig, and a book called 'Playing Changes: Jazz For the New Century.'
That Saquon run followed by that Davonte TD catch, this is the stuff
November 11, 2025 at 3:39 AM
That Saquon run followed by that Davonte TD catch, this is the stuff
Hey, heads-up: Kassa Overall played an absolute knockout of an album-release show at Solar Myth two months ago. Tonight at 8pm, WRTI will play selections from that show on Sunday Rotation, hosted by @booker-julian.bsky.social. Tune in locally, or stream it worldwide. More info (+ video!) right here.
Kassa Overall at Solar Myth: hear it only on Sunday Rotation at WRTI
Tune in to Sunday Rotation on Nov. 9 to hear a world-exclusive broadcast of Kassa Overall's album-release show for CREAM, recorded at Solar Myth.
www.wrti.org
November 9, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Hey, heads-up: Kassa Overall played an absolute knockout of an album-release show at Solar Myth two months ago. Tonight at 8pm, WRTI will play selections from that show on Sunday Rotation, hosted by @booker-julian.bsky.social. Tune in locally, or stream it worldwide. More info (+ video!) right here.
Had a great time talking with Khruangbin about their world-beating first decade, their back-to-the-barn new release, and the secret formula behind their rapport. Listen now at The Gig.
A Conversation with Khruangbin
The Houston-born trio on process, perspective, and 'The Universe Smiles Upon You ii'
open.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Had a great time talking with Khruangbin about their world-beating first decade, their back-to-the-barn new release, and the secret formula behind their rapport. Listen now at The Gig.
Footage of Cuomo heading back upstate
a black dodge charger is doing a burnout on a road
Alt: a black dodge charger is doing a burnout on a road
media.tenor.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Footage of Cuomo heading back upstate
Reposted by Nate Chinen
In my suburban Pennsylvania district, I cast ballot No. 538. My wish for you is that this is the only 538-related content that you will see from a Nate today.
November 4, 2025 at 11:23 PM
In my suburban Pennsylvania district, I cast ballot No. 538. My wish for you is that this is the only 538-related content that you will see from a Nate today.
@burningambulance.bsky.social, thought you’d want to see this still life from the merch table at Jazzfest Berlin
November 2, 2025 at 10:48 PM
@burningambulance.bsky.social, thought you’d want to see this still life from the merch table at Jazzfest Berlin
What does it look like when artists speak out? The other night in Berlin, it looked like Elder Ones.
All Empires Fall
Clarifying fire from Elder Ones at Jazzfest Berlin
open.substack.com
November 2, 2025 at 5:32 PM
What does it look like when artists speak out? The other night in Berlin, it looked like Elder Ones.
A few more thoughts about Jack DeJohnette, who left us this week (but is still with us in many ways)
For Jack DeJohnette
Tributes and tributaries, on the passing of a titan
open.substack.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:28 AM
A few more thoughts about Jack DeJohnette, who left us this week (but is still with us in many ways)
Jack DeJohnette, just one of the deepest musicians ever, and a personal hero. Here is my obituary for NPR Music.
Jack DeJohnette, dynamic and instantly recognizable jazz drummer, dies at 83
Jack DeJohnette, of the most daring and singular jazz drummers of the last 60 years, died on Sunday.
www.npr.org
October 27, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Jack DeJohnette, just one of the deepest musicians ever, and a personal hero. Here is my obituary for NPR Music.
David Breskin has been behind some of the most vital recorded music in recent memory — including four of my No. 1 albums over the last decade. He doesn’t often talk publicly about that work, which is one reason this conversation is special. (There are myriad other reasons.)
Beauty is the Sharpest Tool: A Conversation with David Breskin
The producer and poet behind some of our most inspired albums
open.substack.com
October 22, 2025 at 12:22 PM
David Breskin has been behind some of the most vital recorded music in recent memory — including four of my No. 1 albums over the last decade. He doesn’t often talk publicly about that work, which is one reason this conversation is special. (There are myriad other reasons.)
In September 1958, Columbia threw a jazz party at the Plaza Hotel. Ralph Ellison wrote afterward to Albert Murray about "poor, evil, lost little Miles Davis" and his band. "These cats have gotten lost, man. They're trying to get hold of something by fucking up the blues." 🤨 youtu.be/_PrJhAERZlQ?...
Straight, No Chaser (Live at the Plaza Hotel, New York, NY - Sept. 1958)
YouTube video by Miles Davis - Topic
youtu.be
October 20, 2025 at 5:34 PM
In September 1958, Columbia threw a jazz party at the Plaza Hotel. Ralph Ellison wrote afterward to Albert Murray about "poor, evil, lost little Miles Davis" and his band. "These cats have gotten lost, man. They're trying to get hold of something by fucking up the blues." 🤨 youtu.be/_PrJhAERZlQ?...
The View From Nowhere stays pretty appealing when you’ve built an entire resort community touting the view
October 20, 2025 at 2:02 PM
The View From Nowhere stays pretty appealing when you’ve built an entire resort community touting the view
There’s a new movie that worshipfully takes us behind the scenes of Keith Jarrett’s ‘The Köln Concert.’ Here are some of my problems with it.
The Cringe Hymn of 'Köln 75'
A new film extols and infantilizes Keith Jarrett's art
open.substack.com
October 19, 2025 at 8:22 PM
There’s a new movie that worshipfully takes us behind the scenes of Keith Jarrett’s ‘The Köln Concert.’ Here are some of my problems with it.
October 18, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Reposted by Nate Chinen
For all you nyc photobugs out there, I'm playing a solo piano set in the atrium of Grand Central Station Saturday at 10pm for Brandon Stanton's "Humans of NY" - i might be inaudible amid the throngs but it should be a pretty cool kodak moment nonetheless!
www.thisiscolossal.com/2025/10/bran...
www.thisiscolossal.com/2025/10/bran...
A 'Love Letter' to the City, Humans of New York Takes Over Grand Central
Brandon Stanton's 'Dear New York' debuted earlier this month at Grand Central Terminal with his iconic portraits.
www.thisiscolossal.com
October 17, 2025 at 7:01 PM
For all you nyc photobugs out there, I'm playing a solo piano set in the atrium of Grand Central Station Saturday at 10pm for Brandon Stanton's "Humans of NY" - i might be inaudible amid the throngs but it should be a pretty cool kodak moment nonetheless!
www.thisiscolossal.com/2025/10/bran...
www.thisiscolossal.com/2025/10/bran...
“He was a political martyr because he was killed. I like people who weren’t killed.”
Trump at the Charlie Kirk memorial event: "They fired sniper rifles at ICE agents, and me. But I made a turn at a good time. I made a turn at a good time. Charlie couldn't believe it, actually."
October 15, 2025 at 3:10 AM
“He was a political martyr because he was killed. I like people who weren’t killed.”
For a brief, blessed stretch this spring, I was looking forward to seeing D’Angelo perform Voodoo with The Roots. Here’s what I wrote about the album — an epilogue for the 20th century, a prologue to the 21st — on the occasion of its 25th anniversary.
Shoot Your Best Shot
The Last Great 20th-Century Album: D'Angelo's Voodoo at 25
open.substack.com
October 14, 2025 at 6:57 PM
For a brief, blessed stretch this spring, I was looking forward to seeing D’Angelo perform Voodoo with The Roots. Here’s what I wrote about the album — an epilogue for the 20th century, a prologue to the 21st — on the occasion of its 25th anniversary.
D’Angelo. Hard to even process this one. He was one of a kind, but part of a continuum. That’s at the heart of what made him so special. #RIP
October 14, 2025 at 4:47 PM
D’Angelo. Hard to even process this one. He was one of a kind, but part of a continuum. That’s at the heart of what made him so special. #RIP
Here are my liner notes for the incredible Stanley Cowell album Musa: Ancestral Streams, with a prefatory big-picture pitch
Consider the Liners
My notes for Stanley Cowell's 'Musa,' with a head nod
open.substack.com
October 14, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Here are my liner notes for the incredible Stanley Cowell album Musa: Ancestral Streams, with a prefatory big-picture pitch
Last month I returned home to Hawaii for the first time in almost seven years. One aspect of my reconnection came as a pleasant surprise. #vibes
Island Time
A Hawaiian homecoming, with musical (re)discovery
open.substack.com
October 13, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Last month I returned home to Hawaii for the first time in almost seven years. One aspect of my reconnection came as a pleasant surprise. #vibes
Ravi Coltrane Quartet was stupendous at Solar Myth tonight, playing John Coltrane’s music as a benefit for the Coltrane House in Philly’s Strawberry Mansion neighborhood. I’ll have more to say about this soon.
October 11, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Ravi Coltrane Quartet was stupendous at Solar Myth tonight, playing John Coltrane’s music as a benefit for the Coltrane House in Philly’s Strawberry Mansion neighborhood. I’ll have more to say about this soon.
Glad that in 12 hours, I will be standing in front of the John Coltrane House with Ravi, Lovett Hines and a bunch of gifted kids — a much-needed Philadelphia healing, after this disastrous day
October 10, 2025 at 3:26 AM
Glad that in 12 hours, I will be standing in front of the John Coltrane House with Ravi, Lovett Hines and a bunch of gifted kids — a much-needed Philadelphia healing, after this disastrous day
Drinking heavily on a weeknight because sports
October 10, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Drinking heavily on a weeknight because sports